Chapter 7: The Proposal

‘Risking his life to protect the country, yet called a “Grim Reaper”—what a raw deal for a count.’

Fine sighed and stepped out onto the terrace from her room.

Descending the stairs, she headed to the marquis’s garden.

“Val, you’re there, aren’t you?”

Calling into empty air, a whirlwind stirred a meter away, and a small figure appeared.

No taller than a five-year-old, he was a gnome, an earth spirit.

He appeared when Fine gained her Divine Blessing of hearing the earth’s voice.

Only she could see or hear him.

“Val” was the name he gave himself.

“You called?”

“How much gold ore is left in the Diner Dukedom’s Lilit Mine?”

“It’s almost gone.

At the current pace, two years… three at most.”

“Three years at most… sooner than I thought.”

“Want me to look for more?”

Val put his hands on his hips, looking up at Fine.

“No, don’t bother.

I’ve decided to stop helping those people.”

“Hey, that’s a great idea!

Yeah, ditch them!

I hate those jerks for bullying my Fine.”

Val snorted and crossed his arms.

“Well, hehe, right.

So, I’m thinking of teaching them a little lesson.

Will you help?”

“Of course!

What do I do?”

Val’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I want you to harden the ground around the gold ore in their territory just a bit.

Enough that it’s hard to dig up.”

“Just a bit?

I can make it rock-solid!”

“No, just a bit.

If it’s too hard, no one will ever dig it up.”

“Oh, got it.

My Fine’s a genius!”

Val nodded, convinced.

“I’ll get to it then.

See ya!”

“Thanks.”

Fine waved lightly.

A whirlwind swirled where Val stood, and he vanished.

“Time to head back.”

As Fine climbed the stairs to the terrace, she noticed the mansion’s gate opening.

An unfamiliar four-horse carriage entered.

“A guest for Father?”

The carriage stop wasn’t visible from the garden.

Shrugging, Fine returned to her room.

Soon, a knock came at her door.

“Miss, the master requests your presence.”

“Father?

I’ll come.

His study?”

“No, the reception room.”

“The reception room?”

Fine tilted her head, puzzled.

‘Is he still meeting that guest?’

Her father was usually in his study or the living salon.

The reception room was only for guests.

‘Who could it be?’

She had no clue why she was called, but going to the reception room would clear things up.

Fine stood, tidied herself, and headed there.

“Father, it’s Fine.”

“Come in.”

With permission, Fine entered and froze at the sight of the man sitting across from Marquis Shot.

“You—”

Even seated, his tall frame was unmistakable.

Sharp features, toned physique—it was Hawk, the Count of Rosaider, whom she’d met in the rest room.

‘Why is Lord Rosaider here?’

Fine was bewildered.

‘Did he come to complain about being falsely accused because of that incident?’

She understood his frustration, but he should direct it at Banaji and Reina.

As she pondered, Marquis Shot pointed beside him.

“Fine, sit here.”

“Yes.”

Still confused, Fine sat next to her father.

“Um… what’s this about?”

“Fine, Lord Rosaider has proposed marriage to you.”

“…Pardon?”

Unable to process, Fine blinked.

Hawk met her gaze and nodded.

“Because of that unfortunate incident, you were locked in with me and had your engagement annulled.

I bear some responsibility, so I must make it right.”

“Responsibility?”

Fine echoed.

She believed Banaji and Reina were entirely to blame.

Hawk was, if anything, a victim.

“Thank you for your concern, Lord Rosaider, but you don’t need to go that far.

We’re innocent before the gods; in time, people will forget.”

“I’ve heard damaging rumors about you in social circles.

Once that happens, finding a good match becomes difficult.”

Hawk furrowed his brow.

‘Oh, the rumors have spread that much already?’

Her friend had warned her, but if it reached Hawk’s ears, the gossip might be worse than she thought.

“That’s…”

Fine faltered.

Hawk was right.

Once a scandal spread, noble families would likely exclude her as a bride.

Though her Divine Blessing might attract suitors, they’d likely be from lesser houses like viscounts or barons.

“Rosaider’s territory can’t offer you a lavish life due to its nature.

But I swear to cherish you.”

Fine met Hawk’s steady gaze.

“Are you serious?”

In a situation where he could blame her, he was proposing out of concern for her predicament.

“Do you think I’d involve your father for a joke?”

Hawk raised one eyebrow deftly.

Fine fell silent.